| October 17, 2003
News Release Several Puget Sound businesses that use recycled materials in the products they make are being introduced to the California marketplace, thanks to a connection forged between the King County LinkUp program and Livingreen, an environmentally focused store and gallery located in Santa Barbara, Calif. LinkUp was developed by King County to encourage businesses to use more recycled materials in the products they make. This fall, Livingreen began carrying furniture designed and created by Urban Hardwoods, a LinkUp program participant. Urban Hardwoods, located in south Seattle, crafts fine furniture, cabinets and flooring from trees cut down by Puget Sound-area tree service companies, utility crews and building contractors. Owner Jim Newsom mills the wood at his facility along the Duwamish River and, with designer John Wells, transforms it into furniture and other high-end wood products. Livingreen is carrying a range of Urban Hardwoods products, including coffee tables in elm, madrona and maple; occasional tables and vanities in spalted maple as well as art stands, seats and benches in various Northwest hardwoods. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind design, some finished with a live edge reflecting the natural form, color and texture of the tree itself. Both Newsom and Wells will attend an opening event Oct. 23 at the Livingreen Gallery (218 Helena Ave., Santa Barbara, Calif.) Livingreen has also recently started carrying products from Big Shrimpy and Custom Handweaving, two other LinkUp participants. Big Shrimpy manufactures stylish and environmentally friendly pet products, such as pet beds and travel blankets. The beds pair soft fleece with nylon packcloth and are filled with fleece pieces salvaged from local clothing and outdoor gear manufacturers. Since 2002, the company has recycled more than 18,000 pounds of nylon fleece. Custom Handweaving creates luxurious handcrafted rag rugs from discarded textiles. The company gets surplus fabrics from such suppliers as futon makers, uniform manufacturers and blanket makers such as Oregon's Pendleton Mills. Owner Susan Snover weaves 400 to 500 rugs a year for residential use and custom interior-design work. Another LinkUp participant, Bedrock Industries, has been carried by Livingreen for several years. Bedrock produces distinctive glass tiles sold under the brand name of Blazestone from bottles recycled through curbside collection programs and scrap glass salvaged from commercial companies. The company also makes an array of other earth-friendly glass, gift and garden products, including magnets, coasters and tree ornaments. Livingreen, owned by former Northwest resident Ellen Strickland, specializes in sustainable, all-natural, non-toxic and recycled-content products. Goods are available in its store and gallery in Santa Barbara and are also sold online at www.livingreen.com. LinkUp was launched more than three years ago to encourage manufacturers to incorporate more recycled materials into their products. The program, sponsored by the King County Solid Waste Division, offers free, customized technical and promotional support to eligible businesses. One way to increase the use of recycled materials in products is to increase the market demand by introducing these products to retail outlets such as Livingreen. LinkUp works with four to six new businesses each year. For more information about the LinkUp program, contact Kris Beatty at 206-296-3740 or visit the program Web site. Related Information
King County Solid Waste Division |
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